Camilla accepted the compliment from Messalina, maybe turned a shade of red."Oh, I don't think i'm that funny, i'm a doctor, not a comedian.."Turning to Li'riya. "I've known you long enough that I will support you in whatever you decide. If we do find any of the Dragon Masks, however, we should confas..contfis..confiscate them.."
Edward, has spent some time getting all the Kobolds situated. Eventually they were put on sewage mining duty and rat disposal. Something they loved as rats were good to eat and they loved to dig. However one kobold, Fred, took a particular interest in Edward. Wanting to learn how to fight like him Edward decided to take him on as an apprentice. But only if he’d listen to what Edward day and took his training seriously. Agreeing Edward has since been taking care of and training Fred. Giving him some leather armor and a shortsword until he gets his strength Edward has been training up the Kobolds endurance and discipline for now. He has also made the kobold bath and enjoys being nice to the little guy. He especially loves to cuddle with him and Bell as they sleep.
SESSION 1: THE FIRST SESSION / VARRAM THE WHITE / THE SEA OF MOVING ICE / THE CULT STRIKES
BOARESKYR BRIDGE AND WAY STATION
Boareskyr Bridge bears the name of a now-vanished realm north and east of the Trade Way. The bridge provides access across the Winding Water and is a major landmark. Constructed of black granite, it bears sculpted images of the deities Cyric and Bhaal, commemorating the legendary battle they fought on the bridge during the Time of Troubles. There is a small way station here as you approach.
This way station settlement is little more than a collection of tents, wagons, and caravans providing food, fresh mounts, and other services to travelers. A contingent of paladins from the theocracy of Elturgard maintains watch over the bridge in a newly built keep. There is an Inn here.
BOLO'S TENTSIDE INN
Bolo’s Tentside Inn is a rough-and-tumble establishment set up in a large pavilion near the center of Boareskyr’s tent city which you are free to interact with.
A WARNING FOR CAMILLA
With a loud POP, something from someplace else suddenly existed in a space where something wasn't there before. A small deep red Imp was next to Camilla now, and nearly startled her out of her panties, and her hands instinctively and reflexively went hot and she prepared to launch a Firebolt at whatever-
"No no no!"the little red imp shouted in Infernal. "None of that!" "Boopers??"she said back in Infernal, lowering her hands, truly surprised. "What in the Nine Hells are you doing here?" Boopers looked completely exasperated, "First you leave, then have to find you! You crazy! Should not even care!" Camilla sighed and smiled at her old assistant, who clearly didn't like the fact Camilla defected. "Boopers, i'm sorry, ok? I just couldn't stay. You know this, we discussed this." "Yes, Boopers knows! Not have to like! Took great risk finding you. Send warning!" the little devil shouted. That's when Camilla got a bit nervous. "What warning?" "You made big mistake leaving."the imp said. "Found you to tell you..Zariel send devils to find you. No appreciate defection." Camilla was silent for a moment, then spoke, "Well, can't say I blame her. I knew she might, despite my warning. Thanks for letting me know." Boopers made a sad, annoyed face. "New Preceptor not as nice as you. You make my life living Hell for leaving. Ha!"he laughed at his own joke. Camilla smiled and patted his head. "I miss you very much Boopers. It's not the same without you, but..I have a new life now, ok? Make sure you clean all the equipment.." "Yeah, yeah."Boopers rolled his eyes. "There. I warn you. I go now. Be safe."
And with a POP, Boopers the Imp was gone, leaving Camilla staring at the place he was for a few moments in silent memory and reflection.
Before they leave Waterdeep, Li'riya sends a message to the last place she knew of her grandmother's presence.
Grandmother,
We parted on bad terms, but now I've learned about a situation that requires your help. The Cult of the Dragon is gaining power faster than they ever have. If someone doesn't do something big, they'll summon the Queen of Dragons. I've decided I'm going to be one of the people who does something. Not for you, but so that I can protect people. If you want to join me, I and some allies will be at the Boareskyr Bridge soon. Meet us there if you want to help stop this Cult with powerful allies. But you'll have to be able to compromise with others. I don't know if I hope to see you there, but I hope you're able to put our differences aside and help Faerun.
-Li'riya
As they approach the bridge, she is quiet, full of trepidation about what might happen.
Astrid is literally skipping and whistling quietly as the gang makes their way to the bridge. She's quite proud to be representing the Harpers on this noble cause. To Li'riya: "Your grandmother sounds like an absolute gem, deary! Someone with my kind of sensibility. A wizened woman of noble cause. I can't wait to meet 'er! Sorry that she's been a b$%&# to you...you're such a sweetheart, but you gotta respect your elders ya know!"
As they hike through the dales and plains, Astrid continually glances down at her Harpers pin, as it reflects the sunlight with glittering majesty. She's proud of her promotion, and giddy of the adventures surely to come.
"As amazing and..baffling..it is that you got inducted into a secret society AND got promoted,"Camilla mused, smiling, "You probably shouldn't wear that pin out in the open. There's lots of people out there who oppose the Harpers. Even I knew this, and i'm not from here."
Li'riya opens her mouth as if to answer Astrid, but stays silent, merely wrapping her arms around herself and continuing to move forward. She'll learn...or she won't, she thinks to herself. Either way, how am I going to face her after how we left things?
Astrid gives Camilla the old-person stink-eye, harumphs, and responds back with "Well, when you've lived as long as I have, you'll eventually find that you can't continually run away from your problems, as they have a nasty habit of catching up to you when you least expect 'em! Just like that funny Booper fellow said..."
She'll then pull her black cloak out of her pack, don it, and pull the hood up over her bright pink hair.
Camilla gives Astrid a look like she's either mildly amused by her answer, or kinda offended by it. She made a few attempts to speak, but decided against it eventually. She settled on staring at Astrid for a few more moments in twisted annoyance and confusion before looking away.
Bell was happily snoozing away while the group went to the meetings, the kenku practically dead weight for most of the day til she roused from her slumber as they made way to the bridge where they may meet Li'riya's grandmother. It didn't take much to know that the elf wasn't all that happy to maybe meet the older woman again, even Bell quickly picked up on it, and at one point, the cleric gave her a hug and told her, "You have us now. We're family," before waddling off to go play with Fred.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Aeydof the Dragons || Wood Elf / Way of the Ascendant Dragon Monk Demetrios Zalaoras || Protector Aasimar / Paladin of Torm Hawke || Kalashtar / Circle of the Moon Druid Morticia || Half-Aasimar Rogue Yvan || Goliath / Path of the Wild Soul Barbarian | Paladin of Helm /ᐠ。ꞈ。ᐟ\
Messalina goes after Camilla. "Astrid's bad at wording it, but she's kind of right. Our past does tend to catch up with us. Just look at all of us. We tried to get away from cults and dragons, but ended up running right back into them. But don't worry, we won't let them take you from us. I promise." And Messalina pulls Camilla in for a hug as she seals this promise. "But Astrid did remind me of something." And as she speaks, Messalina undoes the alterations to her body, the color returning to her hair and skin, her eyes turning back to blue, and her chest filling back out. "I'm glad that I don't have to be hiding from the cultists anymore."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
Camilla didn't fight the hug. So far this group of people - whom she got intertwined with since the caravan got stopped at Greenest - was the best thing she had so far in the beginning of her new life. She said nothing, but she did smile at Messalina as she got pulled in and felt the changeling pressed against her for a moment, careful not to hit her head with her horns.
"My past catching up to me would not only be bad for me, but bad for you all as well."she admitted softly. "When I got up and left my position, I made many very powerful people extremely angry. The kind of people you don't want to make angry. They're not going to take me back, they're going to smear my traitorous broken body all over the ground and probably make all of you suffer as well."
"Then what do you plan to do? Because I have no plans on losing you and neither does Bell, who sees you as a mother, and I'm sure that the others, Astrid included, don't want you to die at the hands of your former commanders either."
Messalina wanted to say something to Camilla, but she had no idea what. It was an unfamiliar position for the bard, whose words had been able to beguile and captivate the elites of Faerun. She didn't like it at all, especially since she wasn't able to say anything to a woman that she was attracted to and a woman who was a part of her surrogate family. Against her will, she found herself turning away from Camilla for the time being, watching Bell play with Fred and wondering if she could break it to her that Mama Camilla has to run because very bad and very powerful people are after her. She hoped that a solution to this problem would appear and tried to get her mind on the mission instead of the unpleasant thought currently going through her head.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
Eventually she sighed, trying to forget the possibilities of how many ways Avernus could make her suffer, and said, "Maybe we should talk to one of these people here at this tent side inn?" She squinted to read the sign. "Bolo's?"
SESSION 1: THE FIRST SESSION / VARRAM THE WHITE / THE SEA OF MOVING ICE / THE CULT STRIKES
"Excuse me,"Camilla says to anyone listening, "..has anyone seen a dwarf wearing purple robes come through here recently?"
A halfling spoke up, “A dwarf in purple robes? Oh, I saw him. He was asking about escorts into the hills, when this hooded fellow starts asking him his business. The dwarf looked him straight in the eye, then pulled out his dagger and stabbed the tall fellow dead! He was one of the scaled folk of the Serpent Hills, come down to spy on us! That dwarf’s a hero, make no mistake. But he and his entourage took off straight away for the hills then, quick as cats!”
"Very well. Just know that we're here for you and that we won't let her treat you like dirt."
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
More
Camilla accepted the compliment from Messalina, maybe turned a shade of red. "Oh, I don't think i'm that funny, i'm a doctor, not a comedian.." Turning to Li'riya. "I've known you long enough that I will support you in whatever you decide. If we do find any of the Dragon Masks, however, we should confas..contfis..confiscate them.."
Edward, has spent some time getting all the Kobolds situated. Eventually they were put on sewage mining duty and rat disposal. Something they loved as rats were good to eat and they loved to dig. However one kobold, Fred, took a particular interest in Edward. Wanting to learn how to fight like him Edward decided to take him on as an apprentice. But only if he’d listen to what Edward day and took his training seriously. Agreeing Edward has since been taking care of and training Fred. Giving him some leather armor and a shortsword until he gets his strength Edward has been training up the Kobolds endurance and discipline for now. He has also made the kobold bath and enjoys being nice to the little guy. He especially loves to cuddle with him and Bell as they sleep.
SESSION 1: THE FIRST SESSION / VARRAM THE WHITE / THE SEA OF MOVING ICE / THE CULT STRIKES
BOARESKYR BRIDGE AND WAY STATION
Boareskyr Bridge bears the name of a now-vanished realm north and east of the Trade Way. The bridge provides access across the Winding Water and is a major landmark. Constructed of black granite, it bears sculpted images of the deities Cyric and Bhaal, commemorating the legendary battle they fought on the bridge during the Time of Troubles. There is a small way station here as you approach.
This way station settlement is little more than a collection of tents, wagons, and caravans providing food, fresh mounts, and other services to travelers. A contingent of paladins from the theocracy of Elturgard maintains watch over the bridge in a newly built keep. There is an Inn here.
BOLO'S TENTSIDE INN
Bolo’s Tentside Inn is a rough-and-tumble establishment set up in a large pavilion near the center of Boareskyr’s tent city which you are free to interact with.
A WARNING FOR CAMILLA
With a loud POP, something from someplace else suddenly existed in a space where something wasn't there before. A small deep red Imp was next to Camilla now, and nearly startled her out of her panties, and her hands instinctively and reflexively went hot and she prepared to launch a Firebolt at whatever-
"No no no!" the little red imp shouted in Infernal. "None of that!"
"Boopers??" she said back in Infernal, lowering her hands, truly surprised. "What in the Nine Hells are you doing here?"
Boopers looked completely exasperated, "First you leave, then have to find you! You crazy! Should not even care!"
Camilla sighed and smiled at her old assistant, who clearly didn't like the fact Camilla defected. "Boopers, i'm sorry, ok? I just couldn't stay. You know this, we discussed this."
"Yes, Boopers knows! Not have to like! Took great risk finding you. Send warning!" the little devil shouted.
That's when Camilla got a bit nervous. "What warning?"
"You made big mistake leaving." the imp said. "Found you to tell you..Zariel send devils to find you. No appreciate defection."
Camilla was silent for a moment, then spoke, "Well, can't say I blame her. I knew she might, despite my warning. Thanks for letting me know."
Boopers made a sad, annoyed face. "New Preceptor not as nice as you. You make my life living Hell for leaving. Ha!" he laughed at his own joke.
Camilla smiled and patted his head. "I miss you very much Boopers. It's not the same without you, but..I have a new life now, ok? Make sure you clean all the equipment.."
"Yeah, yeah." Boopers rolled his eyes. "There. I warn you. I go now. Be safe."
And with a POP, Boopers the Imp was gone, leaving Camilla staring at the place he was for a few moments in silent memory and reflection.
Before they leave Waterdeep, Li'riya sends a message to the last place she knew of her grandmother's presence.
Grandmother,
We parted on bad terms, but now I've learned about a situation that requires your help. The Cult of the Dragon is gaining power faster than they ever have. If someone doesn't do something big, they'll summon the Queen of Dragons. I've decided I'm going to be one of the people who does something. Not for you, but so that I can protect people. If you want to join me, I and some allies will be at the Boareskyr Bridge soon. Meet us there if you want to help stop this Cult with powerful allies. But you'll have to be able to compromise with others. I don't know if I hope to see you there, but I hope you're able to put our differences aside and help Faerun.
-Li'riya
As they approach the bridge, she is quiet, full of trepidation about what might happen.
Stella Diamant, Human Rogue 17 (Swashbuckler), The Exploits of Misfit Company
Kat, Medtech, Cyberpunk: Red
Shi, Changeling Bard 4 (College of Spirits), Tyrant's Grasp
Dani, Human Artificer 9 (Armorer), Skulls and Starships
DM, Project Point (Teams Scimitar and Longsword)
Everything Else!
Astrid is literally skipping and whistling quietly as the gang makes their way to the bridge. She's quite proud to be representing the Harpers on this noble cause. To Li'riya: "Your grandmother sounds like an absolute gem, deary! Someone with my kind of sensibility. A wizened woman of noble cause. I can't wait to meet 'er! Sorry that she's been a b$%&# to you...you're such a sweetheart, but you gotta respect your elders ya know!"
As they hike through the dales and plains, Astrid continually glances down at her Harpers pin, as it reflects the sunlight with glittering majesty. She's proud of her promotion, and giddy of the adventures surely to come.
Last to know and first to be blamed...
As a free action, can I regret my life choices?
"As amazing and..baffling..it is that you got inducted into a secret society AND got promoted," Camilla mused, smiling, "You probably shouldn't wear that pin out in the open. There's lots of people out there who oppose the Harpers. Even I knew this, and i'm not from here."
Li'riya opens her mouth as if to answer Astrid, but stays silent, merely wrapping her arms around herself and continuing to move forward. She'll learn...or she won't, she thinks to herself. Either way, how am I going to face her after how we left things?
Stella Diamant, Human Rogue 17 (Swashbuckler), The Exploits of Misfit Company
Kat, Medtech, Cyberpunk: Red
Shi, Changeling Bard 4 (College of Spirits), Tyrant's Grasp
Dani, Human Artificer 9 (Armorer), Skulls and Starships
DM, Project Point (Teams Scimitar and Longsword)
Everything Else!
Astrid gives Camilla the old-person stink-eye, harumphs, and responds back with "Well, when you've lived as long as I have, you'll eventually find that you can't continually run away from your problems, as they have a nasty habit of catching up to you when you least expect 'em! Just like that funny Booper fellow said..."
She'll then pull her black cloak out of her pack, don it, and pull the hood up over her bright pink hair.
Last to know and first to be blamed...
As a free action, can I regret my life choices?
Camilla gives Astrid a look like she's either mildly amused by her answer, or kinda offended by it. She made a few attempts to speak, but decided against it eventually. She settled on staring at Astrid for a few more moments in twisted annoyance and confusion before looking away.
Bell was happily snoozing away while the group went to the meetings, the kenku practically dead weight for most of the day til she roused from her slumber as they made way to the bridge where they may meet Li'riya's grandmother. It didn't take much to know that the elf wasn't all that happy to maybe meet the older woman again, even Bell quickly picked up on it, and at one point, the cleric gave her a hug and told her, "You have us now. We're family," before waddling off to go play with Fred.
Aeyd of the Dragons || Wood Elf / Way of the Ascendant Dragon Monk
Demetrios Zalaoras || Protector Aasimar / Paladin of Torm
Hawke || Kalashtar / Circle of the Moon Druid
Morticia || Half-Aasimar Rogue
Yvan || Goliath / Path of the Wild Soul Barbarian | Paladin of Helm
/ᐠ。ꞈ。ᐟ\
Messalina goes after Camilla. "Astrid's bad at wording it, but she's kind of right. Our past does tend to catch up with us. Just look at all of us. We tried to get away from cults and dragons, but ended up running right back into them. But don't worry, we won't let them take you from us. I promise." And Messalina pulls Camilla in for a hug as she seals this promise. "But Astrid did remind me of something." And as she speaks, Messalina undoes the alterations to her body, the color returning to her hair and skin, her eyes turning back to blue, and her chest filling back out. "I'm glad that I don't have to be hiding from the cultists anymore."
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
More
Camilla didn't fight the hug. So far this group of people - whom she got intertwined with since the caravan got stopped at Greenest - was the best thing she had so far in the beginning of her new life. She said nothing, but she did smile at Messalina as she got pulled in and felt the changeling pressed against her for a moment, careful not to hit her head with her horns.
"My past catching up to me would not only be bad for me, but bad for you all as well." she admitted softly. "When I got up and left my position, I made many very powerful people extremely angry. The kind of people you don't want to make angry. They're not going to take me back, they're going to smear my traitorous broken body all over the ground and probably make all of you suffer as well."
"Then what do you plan to do? Because I have no plans on losing you and neither does Bell, who sees you as a mother, and I'm sure that the others, Astrid included, don't want you to die at the hands of your former commanders either."
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
More
Camilla looked down and looked away. Not because Messalina's questions weren't valid, or that she didn't feel the same way.
It's because she had no idea what she was going to do.
Boopers had finally confirmed her worst fear.
Messalina wanted to say something to Camilla, but she had no idea what. It was an unfamiliar position for the bard, whose words had been able to beguile and captivate the elites of Faerun. She didn't like it at all, especially since she wasn't able to say anything to a woman that she was attracted to and a woman who was a part of her surrogate family. Against her will, she found herself turning away from Camilla for the time being, watching Bell play with Fred and wondering if she could break it to her that Mama Camilla has to run because very bad and very powerful people are after her. She hoped that a solution to this problem would appear and tried to get her mind on the mission instead of the unpleasant thought currently going through her head.
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
More
Eventually she sighed, trying to forget the possibilities of how many ways Avernus could make her suffer, and said, "Maybe we should talk to one of these people here at this tent side inn?" She squinted to read the sign. "Bolo's?"
"Sure." Messalina gathers the rest of the group together and enters Bolo's
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
More
SESSION 1: THE FIRST SESSION / VARRAM THE WHITE / THE SEA OF MOVING ICE / THE CULT STRIKES
"Excuse me," Camilla says to anyone listening, "..has anyone seen a dwarf wearing purple robes come through here recently?"
A halfling spoke up, “A dwarf in purple robes? Oh, I saw him. He was asking about escorts into the hills, when this hooded fellow starts asking him his business. The dwarf looked him straight in the eye, then pulled out his dagger and stabbed the tall fellow dead! He was one of the scaled folk of the Serpent Hills, come down to spy on us! That dwarf’s a hero, make no mistake. But he and his entourage took off straight away for the hills then, quick as cats!”
Li'riya sighs. "Guess we're headed for the hills, then." She glances cautiously around the tavern for anyone unusual (or her grandmother).
Stella Diamant, Human Rogue 17 (Swashbuckler), The Exploits of Misfit Company
Kat, Medtech, Cyberpunk: Red
Shi, Changeling Bard 4 (College of Spirits), Tyrant's Grasp
Dani, Human Artificer 9 (Armorer), Skulls and Starships
DM, Project Point (Teams Scimitar and Longsword)
Everything Else!